Beech Tree News Network

Labor Day recognizes the contributions of laborers to our national achievements. Our recent Labor Day holiday seemed to be a day to catch up or to rest for many. As a child, my family did not have any holiday traditions related to this day, and as a parent, I did not establish any family traditions. Yet, some people schedule annual gatherings with family and/or friends during the holiday weekend or travel.

Thinking about the holiday, I asked friends and family, “Do you have a Labor Day holiday tradition? What things do you usually do that Monday?” Their responses are listed below.

-Not really. My husband usually has a fantasy football draft he goes to. Normally, we just hang out.

-I have so many holiday traditions for so many different holidays, but never for Labor Day. I’m not sure why. We usually just have a relaxing day hanging out at the house, but no special plans. We usually plan a big purchase that we’ve been thinking about like a new couch or a new fridge since they have Labor Day sales.

-No, I’m boring. We usually just hang out with family.

-Sorry, no traditions here.

-We usually don’t have any plans; it’s just a day to get things done or do nothing.

-I do not have anything that I normally do. I generally work – either housework or bookwork with my non-profit duties or my second job.

-More the weekend than the actual day…. We usually visit my parents and have the last swim of the season in their pool. Monday is travel day back home.

-My tradition is typically working, but this is one of the first I have off; so I’m going to try and start one this year!

-We usually celebrate my birthday. It usually falls on or close to Labor Day.

-I check my 401k balance and calculate how many more years I need to work. It’s a sad experience that I don’t recommend.

-Less labor, more fun when possible.

-On Labor Day, we are usually not totally exhausted from the school year yet, so we try to do something fun. Sometimes we go to the lake, sometimes we grill outside and play ball in the yard, and sometimes we go to Bowling Green and have a nice meal together. Our plans aren’t always the same, but they always involve spending time with each other.

-When my son was still in school, Labor Day meant the final weekend of summer. A time for one last weekend of summer fun before a new school year began. Now that he is grown, Labor Day remembrance is a time to reflect on the American worker and celebrate the very backbone on which our country was developed.

-Less labor, more fun when possible.

-No, I don’t have any traditions.

-A Labor Day cookout!

-I don’t really have Labor Day traditions. This year, I my plan was to sleep late and eat a good grilled burger!

Labor Day is a federal holiday that causes us to think of the importance of labor. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” For most of us, our labor has provided our livelihood and contributed to our nation’s successes. A holiday recognizing that – with or without traditions – is a good day.